buying on ebay from ukraine or russia

[SCOTFORTHLAD]

Hello everyone,
I am looking for some advice on the above.I currently have a Fed 4,with Industar 61,and have just purchased vis ebay in the UK. a nice Jupiter 8.I am looking for either a late Fed 2,or a Zorki 4 for this lens.There are many on offer on ebay from Ukraine or Russia,but I have never bought anything on ebay outside myhome patch,the UK. Can anyone recommend a supplier in Ukraine or Russia,who would not only supply a good product,but also accept UK.Payment,as I never use Paypal etc..Any help would be much appreciated.
By the way,would anyone care to advise on the respective merits of the Fed 2 or Zorki.I am leaning towards the Fed,with the basic speeds,as being more likely to be working satisfactorily.Ive rarely used anything over 500,or below 1/25.

My preferred film for my Fed is Ilford XP2,processed in my local Fuji colour minilab,and usually with a CD copy.
I also use a Fifties Agfa 35mm.Folder, with this film,and occasionally a Yashica TL. M42 SLR when using colour.

This is my first post,look forward to enjoying the Group,
Regards,
Brian.

 

[Screwy]

Welcome to the forums 🙂

If you wanted a decent working FED2 or Zorki4 I think most here would recomend either Fedka (http://www.fedka.com/catalog/default.php) or Oleg (http://www.okvintagecamera.com/index.html) You would probably pay a little more than you would on Eb*y but the camera would work . Thats not to say the Eb*y camera wouldnt , but buying from the FSU is rather like russian roulette , some you win some you lose .

As for the relative merits , The Zorki 4 has a bigger less squinty viewfinder than the FED2 but the FED2 definately feels less bulky in the hand . Also beware the later Zorki 4,s as most have screen printed shutter speed dials which tend to get rubbed off over time 🙁 not to sure when Zorki started screen printing them but of the two I have the 66 model has an engraved dial and the 72 is screenprinted , Not really a major problem but something to keep in mind if the camera is going to be used a lot .

.

 

[xayraa33]

I had a mixed experiace in buying from the former Soviet Union esp, the Ukraine, most members on this forum would rather deal with Oleg of OK Cameras, who is a repairman of good repute, or Fedka, out of the USA. you might pay a bit more, but believe me, its the cheaper way to go.... An other option is to buy from our own membership on this forum. FSU cameras show up quite regularly on our for sale column, if you are not in a super hurry, this is the best way to go,IMHO. A FED 2 or a Zorki 2S, are reliable cameras, simpler and with less to go wrong than a Zorki 4 or 4K.... I beleive there are some FSU cameras for sale in our column as I write this..... Just a bit of warning though..most people find FSU cameras very addicting, you can't have just one.

 

[Jocko]

Hallo and welcome Scotforthlad!

You're going to get lots of replies! I've never had any trouble buying from Russia or Ukraine - although as a general rule I think that you will find that the postal service from the latter is quicker. As to e-bay sellers, Alex-photo is extremely highly regarded, both for quality and service.

If you look through earlier postings you'll find endless discussions on the respective merits of the FED2 and Zorki 4. Despite their common origin in the Leica, they in many ways "feel" like very different cameras.

I like the FED more. It is simple, good to hold and solid as a rock, with a very long rangefinder base, excellent for long or fast lenses.

The Zorki has a vastly better viewfinder - very big, very bright, but very frustrating if you wear glasses, as only a small portion of the field of view is visible.

The Zorki 6 is perhaps nearest to a perfect compromise between the two... but have a look in the archives : there are many strong opinions!

 

[Kim Coxon]

Hi and welcome to the forum,
I have both a Fed 2 and a Zorki 4 available and I am in the UK. Send PM with an email address if you are interested. There are several members here who will vouch for me (I hope!)

Kim

 

[xayraa33]

Hi and welcome to the forum,
I have both a Fed 2 and a Zorki 4 available and I am in the UK. Send PM with an email address if you are interested. There are several members here who will vouch for me (I hope!)

Kim

I will vouch for Kim

 

[Bob L]

In addition to Oleg, fedka and Alex-Photo who I have purchased from and are all first rate you can add the "Soviet Camera Store" all of his cameras are CLA before shipping but of course you pay more for them but then they all come with a 6 month guarantee and Vikentiy is a gentleman to deal with.

 

[SCOTFORTHLAD]

Welcome to the forums 🙂

If you wanted a decent working FED2 or Zorki4 I think most here would recomend either Fedka (http://www.fedka.com/catalog/default.php) or Oleg (http://www.okvintagecamera.com/index.html) You would probably pay a little more than you would on Eb*y but the camera would work . Thats not to say the Eb*y camera wouldnt , but buying from the FSU is rather like russian roulette , some you win some you lose .

As for the relative merits , The Zorki 4 has a bigger less squinty viewfinder than the FED2 but the FED2 definately feels less bulky in the hand . Also beware the later Zorki 4,s as most have screen printed shutter speed dials which tend to get rubbed off over time 🙁 not to sure when Zorki started screen printing them but of the two I have the 66 model has an engraved dial and the 72 is screenprinted , Not really a major problem but something to keep in mind if the camera is going to be used a lot .

.

Many thanks for the welcome and the info',and advice.Iwill let you know how I get on.

 

[SCOTFORTHLAD]

I had a mixed experiace in buying from the former Soviet Union esp, the Ukraine, most members on this forum would rather deal with Oleg of OK Cameras, who is a repairman of good repute, or Fedka, out of the USA. you might pay a bit more, but believe me, its the cheaper way to go.... An other option is to buy from our own membership on this forum. FSU cameras show up quite regularly on our for sale column, if you are not in a super hurry, this is the best way to go,IMHO. A FED 2 or a Zorki 2S, are reliable cameras, simpler and with less to go wrong than a Zorki 4 or 4K.... I beleive there are some FSU cameras for sale in our column as I write this..... Just a bit of warning though..most people find FSU cameras very addicting, you can't have just one.

Thanks for the advice,I already suffer from the 'addictio',having returned to using my existing Fed,which was my first serious 35mm.camera over 20 years ago.Thanks again.

 

[SCOTFORTHLAD]

Hallo and welcome Scotforthlad!

You're going to get lots of replies! I've never had any trouble buying from Russia or Ukraine - although as a general rule I think that you will find that the postal service from the latter is quicker. As to e-bay sellers, Alex-photo is extremely highly regarded, both for quality and service.

If you look through earlier postings you'll find endless discussions on the respective merits of the FED2 and Zorki 4. Despite their common origin in the Leica, they in many ways "feel" like very different cameras.

I like the FED more. It is simple, good to hold and solid as a rock, with a very long rangefinder base, excellent for long or fast lenses.

The Zorki has a vastly better viewfinder - very big, very bright, but very frustrating if you wear glasses, as only a small portion of the field of view is visible.

The Zorki 6 is perhaps nearest to a perfect compromise between the two... but have a look in the archives : there are many strong opinions!

Thanks for the advice and comments,I am not familiar with the Zorki 6 at all,will have to look into it.Regards.

 

[SCOTFORTHLAD]

In addition to Oleg, fedka and Alex-Photo who I have purchased from and are all first rate you can add the "Soviet Camera Store" all of his cameras are CLA before shipping but of course you pay more for them but then they all come with a 6 month guarantee and Vikentiy is a gentleman to deal with.

Thanks for the reply Bob,will be following up on your advice.Cheers.

 

[SCOTFORTHLAD]

Hi and welcome to the forum,
I have both a Fed 2 and a Zorki 4 available and I am in the UK. Send PM with an email address if you are interested. There are several members here who will vouch for me (I hope!)

Kim

Thanks Kim,my details are on their way
Regards,
Brian.